Top prospect Monahan suspended 10 games by OHL

Ottawa 67's forward Sean Monahan was suspended 10 games by the Ontario Hockey League on Friday.

The suspension comes after Monahan – ranked the No. 1 skater in the OHL by NHL Central Scouting heading into the 2013 NHL Draft – was guilty of a checking to the head infraction during a 3-2 loss to the Plymouth Whalers on Sunday.

With 1:44 left to play, the Ottawa co-captain elbowed Plymouth captain Colin MacDonald in the face behind the Whalers net. There was no penalty called on the play.

"I was just trying to brace myself going into the boards and finish my check," Monahan told the Ottawa Citizen. "I really didn’t think I hit him that hard."

In 24 games this season, Monahan has 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points, tied for eighth-best in the OHL.

Last season, Monahan scored 33 goals and 45 assists in 62 games.

The OHL explains its decision here (http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/article/ohl-announces-disciplinary-action_132354/132354).